Trash pandas, also known as raccoons, are a common sight in many urban areas around the world. These curious creatures have become adept at scavenging through garbage cans and dumpsters, earning them the nickname "trash pandas." Despite their reputation as pests, raccoons are actually highly intelligent and adaptable animals. With their distinctive masked faces and ringed tails, raccoons are easily recognizable. They are native to North America but have been introduced to other parts of the world, including Europe and Japan. Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night.
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If Isaac lacks flight and is standing on a tile as is being removed, he will fall into the pit, take damage, and respawn after a few seconds, much like stepping on a Pitfall. The Curse of Giants was written for a Codex Writers Group flash fiction contest, where the prompt was to choose a very typical Big Fat Fantasy Novel title and write a story that took it in an unexpected direction.
Raccoons are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the night. However, it's not uncommon to spot them during the day, especially in areas with abundant food sources. Raccoons are opportunistic eaters, and their omnivorous diet allows them to survive in a variety of habitats.
The Curse of Giants
Jose Iriarte is a Cuban-American writer and high school math teacher living in EPCOT with his wife Lisa and their two teenage kids. He writes because he can't afford therapy. His fiction has appeared in Strange Horizons, Grantville Gazette, Fireside Fiction, and other venues. Learn more at his website: labrynthrat.com.
The curse of giants is to never fit in.At school the other kids try to make me lose control, because they know I'll put on a show for them. They call me Dumbass Danny. They laugh when I lose my breath and can't keep up at phys ed. They kick me when nobody's looking. They don't let me sit with them at lunch.
I try to ignore them like the teachers tell me, but they keep going and eventually I give in and go on a rampage. I knock over chairs and tables, pull books off the shelves, kick the globe. Giant stuff.
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"I think Danny's acting out," the teacher tells my parents, later, when we're all in the principal's office. "But why?"
I feel the walls closing in as everybody stares down at me, looking for answers. If I don't get out soon, I will be crushed.
"The boy's just never fit in," my father says. "No reason for it." The curse of giants is to be clumsy.I try to walk lightly, make no noise, but I'm easily startled. I hear a TV switch off or a door close somewhere in the house and I jump. Things break when a giant jumps. Things like a glass of milk, lying on the floor now, tiny shards glinting like diamonds amid white liquid.
"Goddamnit boy!" my father roars, and my stomach lurches. I throw myself into the cleanup and hope it's enough.
The curse of giants is to not know why.Mom winces when I ask if I was born this way, stupid and clumsy. She hugs me and kisses the top of my head and tells me there's nothing wrong with me, but that's obviously not true.
She looks sad afterward, and I think about how painful it must be to give birth to a giant. That was a dumb question to ask. I'm sorry for making her unhappy, but I don't know what to say to make it better, so I say nothing at all.
Giants always make things worse when they open their mouths. The curse of giants is nothing works.I think maybe bigger clothes will help. I wear baggy things. I wear long sleeves. I always wear pants, never shorts. Even for phys ed, I never take off my clothes.
I try to be small when I sit. I try to be invisible. I hunch over, arms crossed, and don't make a peep. It doesn't work at school: sooner or later someone leans over and flicks my ear or hits me with a spitball or passes me a note with DOUCHEBAG scrawled on it in thick black lead.
It doesn't work at home, either. The curse of giants is you can't hold back the fire.I have to get an agenda signed by my teacher every day saying whether I was good or not. Today Max Connors bumps me hard in the hallway. I see it coming, see the hate in his eyes as he angles toward me. I try to avoid it but I can't because I'm a giant and when you're a giant you can't avoid things no matter how hard you try. He rams his shoulder into my already bruised chest and mutters "Pussy" and I rampage again.
For the rest of the day my insides quake. I think about losing the note on the way home, but that will only make it worse. And so in the end I simply give the sheet to my father when he demands it.
The tendons in his neck stick out like ropes. "Jesus Christ, boy," he says, reaching for his belt.The curse of giants is you can't hide from the things that hurt you, so you have no choice but to face them.
The blessing of giants is being brave.I'm not supposed to say anything, but the next day I walk into the office and ask to speak to the principal. When she closes the door, I pull up my shirt.
I think: you don't scare me anymore, Dad. I'm a goddamn giant. The End This story was first published on Monday, March 7th, 2016"The Curse of Giants" was written for a Codex Writers Group flash fiction contest, where the prompt was to choose a very typical Big Fat Fantasy Novel title and write a story that took it in an unexpected direction. I had been struggling for days to write a story for a different prompt, changed to this one at the last minute, and this story came pouring out in no time. I'm starting to realize that the only stories that are worth writing are the ones that get me fired up.
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5.5 Rocket Dragons Average
While Fanatics do appear in Repentance during The Heretic's summoning ritual, Exorcists do not appear like they did in Antibirth, where they could appear in the Mausoleum. Despite this, Exorcists seem to be fully functional and even have updated sprites, though their behavior is very different from Antibirth:
While they primarily feed on fruits, nuts, and insects, they are also known to raid garbage cans, pet food bowls, and even steal eggs from bird nests. Their dexterous front paws enable them to manipulate objects and open containers, making them skilled at accessing human-provided food sources. Aside from their scavenging behavior, raccoons are also known for their intelligence. They have been observed using tools and solving puzzles to obtain food. Raccoons are highly adaptable and can adjust their behaviors to changing environments. This adaptability has enabled them to thrive in urban areas, where they can find food and shelter in abundance. Trash pandas have a complex social structure, with females living in small groups called nursery bands, which consist of a mother and her offspring. Males are usually solitary, except during the mating season. The females give birth to litters of up to seven kits, which they raise until they are old enough to venture out on their own. While raccoons may sometimes be viewed as nuisances due to their scavenging habits, it's important to remember that they are a natural part of the ecosystem. They help control populations of pests such as rodents and insects, and their adaptability showcases their ability to coexist with humans in urban environments. Despite their reputation as trash pandas, raccoons are fascinating creatures that continue to captivate the curiosity of those who observe them..
Reviews for "Trash Pandas Maeot: Their Impact on City Ecosystems"
1. Jessica - 1 star
Trash Pandas Maeot was a complete disappointment for me. I had high expectations for this game, but it fell short in so many ways. First of all, the graphics were subpar and lacked detail. The gameplay was also very repetitive and offered no real challenges. Additionally, the story was weak and uninteresting. Overall, I found it to be a waste of time and money.
2. Andrew - 2 stars
I was really excited to play Trash Pandas Maeot after hearing so many positive reviews, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype for me. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to navigate through the game. The levels were also poorly designed, with confusing layouts and uninspired challenges. The gameplay mechanics felt outdated and didn't offer anything new or exciting. I was ultimately left feeling bored and unsatisfied with the overall experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
Trash Pandas Maeot had so much potential, but it ultimately failed to deliver an enjoyable gaming experience. The game was plagued with bugs and glitches, which made it frustrating to play. The lack of variety in the gameplay and repetitive objectives quickly became tedious and boring. The graphics and sound design were also underwhelming, adding to the overall lackluster atmosphere of the game. I was hoping for a fun and engaging experience, but I was left disappointed.